Overview
A stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability has been identified in the StaffList plugin for WordPress, tracked as CVE-2025-12185. This vulnerability affects versions up to and including 3.2.6. An authenticated attacker with administrator-level permissions can inject malicious web scripts into the plugin’s settings. These scripts will execute when a user accesses a page where the injected content is displayed. This issue primarily affects multi-site installations and installations where the unfiltered_html capability has been disabled.
Technical Details
The StaffList plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input within its admin settings. Consequently, when an administrator modifies settings (e.g., within the staff member description fields) and saves them, malicious JavaScript code can be embedded within the database. The plugin also lacks proper output escaping. Therefore, when the settings are rendered on a page visible to users, the stored JavaScript code is executed within their browsers. This can lead to session hijacking, defacement of the website, or other malicious activities.
The specific vulnerable areas are within the StaffList’s configuration pages accessible to administrators. Attackers can inject arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code into these settings. The absence of input validation and output encoding allows the stored script to execute within the context of the user’s browser.
CVSS Analysis
- CVE ID: CVE-2025-12185
- Severity: MEDIUM
- CVSS Score: 4.4
A CVSS score of 4.4 indicates a medium severity vulnerability. The CVSS vector likely reflects the requirements for administrator-level access and the limited scope of impact (multi-site or unfiltered_html disabled installations). While the impact can be significant if exploited, the prerequisites for a successful attack lower the overall severity.
Possible Impact
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability allows an attacker to:
- Execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of a user’s browser.
- Steal user cookies and session tokens, leading to account compromise.
- Deface the website or redirect users to malicious sites.
- Administer the website without proper authorization.
Given the administrator privilege requirement, a compromised administrator account could have significant repercussions for the entire WordPress installation.
Mitigation or Patch Steps
The recommended course of action is to update the StaffList plugin to the latest version. If an updated version addressing this vulnerability is not available, consider the following mitigation steps:
- Disable the StaffList Plugin: Temporarily disable the plugin until a patch is released.
- Review User Roles: Ensure that only trusted users have administrator-level access to the WordPress dashboard.
- Monitor Website Activity: Keep a close eye on user activity and website logs for any suspicious behavior.
- Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF): A WAF can help detect and block malicious requests attempting to exploit this vulnerability.
- Sanitize inputs for admin roles: If you are a developer or have development access, properly sanitize and escape settings fields.
References
StaffList Plugin Changeset
StaffList Plugin Page
Wordfence Threat Intelligence Report
